Weightlifting Support Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A weightlifting support apparatus comprises a frame assembly, a bench disposed thereon, a movable rack movably attached to said frame assembly, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to said movable rack, and a control unit for selectively operating the actuation mechanism, The movable rack may support a barbell or heavy object thereon, and the actuation mechanism may impart a force on the movable rack to cause the rack to move in an upward or downward direction, thus assisting a user in lifting a barbell or heavy object when the user is incapable of lifting or moving the barbell or heavy object on his or her own. The apparatus reduces or eliminates the need for another person to standby while the user is lifting weights and improves the safety of the practice of lifting weights.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/294,318, filed on Jan. 12, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a support apparatus for a user of a barbell, and more particularly, to a support apparatus for catching or holding a barbell while a user is lifting weights, without a need for a separate person to assist the user that is weightlifting.

Numerous innovations for weight lifting related devices exist in the prior art that are addressed to improving safety conditions for a user in the act of lifting weights while in a seated or reclined position, and particularly, when the user is lifting a barbell (also referred to as a “bench press.”) The bench press can be described as the act of raising and lowering a barbell above one's torso while the user is sitting or lying on a bench.

Usually, a stand or stands or supports are provided for storing the barbell while the user is not in the act of lifting or lowering the barbell. The stands or supports may be disposed on each side of the bench and may hold the barbell in an elevated position such that a user may easily situate him or herself on the bench underneath the barbell, or may move out from under the barbell without having to lift the barbell while doing so.

These solutions have their drawbacks, however, in that they require precision on the part of the user (to place the barbell securely enough on the stands or supports before letting go of the barbell, such that the barbell does not fall off of the stands or supports) and they require strength on the part of the user to ensure that the barbell is lifted to a height that is sufficient to set the barbell on top of the supports or stands. Requiring such strength can be particularly demanding upon a user at the end of a weightlifting session, when the user is fatigued and may have difficulty in raising the barbell to the height required by the supports or stands.

A user may enlist the assistance of a second person, often referred to as a “spotter”, which spotter remains in proximity to a user while the user is lifting the barbell. The spotter helps the user by proving assistance in lifting the barbell back onto the stand in the event that the user is too fatigued to do so him or herself. This situation has drawbacks in that it requires the presence of a second person at all times even, in a passive capacity, and, as such, a user would otherwise not be able to lift weights safely if a second person or spotter is not available. Further, the spotter must be strong enough to lift the barbell by him or herself if the user is entirely fatigued or otherwise incapacitated. This condition either requires the presence of a spotter that is stronger than the user or limits the weight that the user may place on a barbell to the amount that the spotter can tolerate.

Due to the limitations on the spotter arrangement, mechanical solutions have been attempted to increase the safety of a user that undertakes weightlifting. An example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,819,785, which provides for an overhead support for a barbell, which overhead support can “catch” the barbell and hold it from above to prevent it from falling onto a user. While this patent shows a manner in which a user's safety may be addressed, this solution is cumbersome and mechanically complicated and may detract from the feel of lifting a barbell that is not so secured from above because of the lifting force exerted on the barbell by the patented device.

Accordingly there exists a need for a weightlifting support apparatus that is configured to overcome all of the disadvantages of the prior art, and specifically, one that reduces the risk of a barbell from falling on a user, while still retaining the freedom of movement of a barbell in a bench press exercise.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide a weightlifting support apparatus for assisting a user in lifting and/or storing weights and barbells, for example, to include all advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent in the prior art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a weightlifting support apparatus for holding a barbell in a position such that the barbell does not exert weight on a user's torso or other body region.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a weightlifting support apparatus that is capable of raising and lowering a barbell.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a weightlifting support apparatus that is capable of being operated by a user without the user's hands.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a weightlifting support apparatus that is lightweight, reliable, safe, user-friendly, and has low production cost.

To achieve the above objects, in an aspect of the present disclosure, a weightlifting support apparatus for supporting a barbell is provided. The weightlifting support apparatus comprises in a preferred embodiment a bench, a tubular frame assembly for the bench, a movable rack adjacent to or incorporated on the frame assembly, and an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the movable rack for actuating the movable rack. A control unit is provided for selectively actuating the movable rack, which control unit may drive an electric motor or may be a manual pump, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuation mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder and piston.

The weightlifting support apparatus disclosed herein is configured to allow an individual user to safely perform a bench press exercise without risk of becoming trapped underneath heavy free weights loaded onto barbells and without requiring the assistance of a “spotter” or separate person to stand by or provide actual assistance while the user is lifting weights.

These together with the other aspects of the present disclosure, along with the various features of novelty that characterized the present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part of the present disclosure. For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating advantages, and the specified object attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which:

FIG. 1 shows a weightlifting support apparatus, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 shows a weightlifting support apparatus, in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

Like references numerals refer to like parts throughout the description of several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For a thorough understanding of the present disclosure, reference is to be made to the following detailed description, including the appended claims, in connection with the above-described drawings. Although the present disclosure is described in connection with exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but these are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The terms, “first,” “second,” and the like, herein do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are used to distinguish placement of one element over another. Further, the terms, “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.

The present disclosure provides weightlifting support apparatus for supporting a barbell. The support apparatus comprises a bench, a tubular frame assembly for the bench, a movable rack adjacent to or incorporated on the frame assembly, and an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to the movable rack for actuating the movable rack. A control unit or is provided for selectively causing the actuation mechanism to actuate the movable rack, which control unit may drive an electric motor or may be a manual pump, for example. In an embodiment, the actuation mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

The weightlifting support apparatus disclosed herein is configured to allow an individual user to safely perform a bench press exercise without risk of becoming trapped underneath heavy free weights loaded onto barbells and without requiring the assistance of a “spotter” or separate person to stand by or provide actual assistance while the user is lifting weights. The user may situate him or herself on the bench, and utilize the movable rack to hold a barbell or other heavy object in place at the beginning or end of a set of lifts, or when a user must interrupt a scheduled set of lifts due to fatigue or otherwise. The control unit of the movable rack is preferably disposed within close proximity to the bench, so that the user can reach the unit and control the movement of the rack while he or she is on the bench and/or in the act of lifting weights. The actuation mechanism causes the movable rack to rise or lower as needed, and exerts sufficient force to support, lift, and/or lower a barbell or other object that is encumbered with any amount of weight that a user may place on the barbell or other object as part of his or her exercise routine.

Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a weightlifting support apparatus 100 is shown. The apparatus comprises a bench 10 for supporting the body of a user (not shown) when the user is engaged in weightlifting. The bench is preferably a substantially planar unit and is disposed on a frame assembly 20. The bench 10 may be padded for providing comfort to the user while the user is positioned on the bench 10.

The frame assembly 20 supports the bench 10 and a user in the act of lifting weights and may also house a actuation mechanism 30 and control unit 40 of the apparatus. The frame assembly is preferably formed from a plurality of sections of tubular units (of steel, aluminum, or other sufficiently resilient material). The frame assembly 20 may comprise a plurality of legs for supporting the bench 10 away from a surface (such as a floor). The frame assembly 20 may alternatively support the bench by way of a rack or other structure disposed underneath the bench 10. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the frame assembly 20 will be so configured to provide a balanced support to the bench 10 and user while the user is in the act of lifting weights. It will further be apparent that the frame assembly may be configured such that the bench is parallel to the floor or surface on which the frame assembly is situated (and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2). In an alternate embodiment (not shown) that the frame assembly may be so configured such that the bench is at a 30 degree or 45 degree or other angle with respect to the floor or surface on which the frame assembly is situated (to allow a user to accomplish an “incline press” exercise.

In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the sections of tubular units of the frame assembly are movably attached to one another (by way of a hinge or bolt and detent arrangement, for example), such that the user may change the angle that portion of the frame assembly that supports the bench to accommodate different exercise positions (such as a bench press exercise, or an incline press exercise, for example.) In an embodiment, a medial support 26 of the frame assembly is operatively coupled to the bench and comprises telescopic units (not shown) that may be extended or retracted to change the angle of the bench 10.

In an embodiment, the frame assembly 20 comprises a first crossbar 21, a second crossbar 22, at least one rack guide support 24, at least one rack guide 25 disposed on said rack guide support 24, and a movable rack 50. In a preferred embodiment, and shown in FIG. 1, the frame assembly comprises a first rack guide support 24 a and a second rack guide support 24 b, with a first rack guide 25 a coupled to said first rack guide support 24 a and a second rack guide 25 b coupled to said second rack guide support 24 b. The movable rack 50 is movably attached to said rack guide 25, such that the movable rack 50 may move in at least a vertical dimension (i.e., upwardly and downwardly with respect to the user and bench 10. The at least one rack guide support 24 will further comprise a cradle 28, which cradle is capable of retaining the bar of a barbell, or other heavy object, when not in use.

The movable rack 50 comprises arms 52 a and 52 b, which extend away from the rack 50 and said at least one rack guide support 24 such that the arms 52 a and 52 b are disposed on either side of and extend substantially parallel to the bench 10. The arms 52 a and 52 b are capable of supporting a barbell or other heavy object thereon. The arms 52 a and 52 b preferably comprise flanges on the ends of each said arm that are distal to the rack guide 25, which flange may extend upwardly from the remainder of the arms 52 a and 52 b, which flange may retain a barbell or other heavy object from otherwise rolling or falling off said distal ends of said arms 52 a and 52 b.

The movable rack 50 further comprises engagement features 53 that provide for the movable attachment of the rack 50 to the rack guide 25, which engagement features 53 will be complementary to the configuration of the rack guide 25. In an embodiment, the engagement features comprise at least one clamp that is capable of straddling the rack guide for controlled movement along the length of the rack guide 25. It will be apparent that said clamp will provide sufficient attachment to secure and retain the movable rack along the length of the rack guide, but will not be so securely attached the rack guide to prevent movement of the rack along the rack guide. It will be further apparent to one skilled in the art that the engagement features of the movable rack and the rack guide may comprise other complementary configurations, as well, such as, but not necessarily limited to, a rack and pinion arrangement (wherein the rack comprises the rack guide and the pinion comprises the engagement features 53).

The movable rack 50 is operatively coupled to the actuation mechanism 30. In an embodiment, a beam 56 may extend from the rack to connect the rack 50 to the actuation mechanism 30. As will be described in detail below, the actuation mechanism 30 imparts a force on the movable rack 50 to cause the rack 50 move along the rack guide 25. In an embodiment, the beam is hingedly connected to the actuation mechanism 30.

The actuation mechanism 30 may be motorized or may be manually-operated. In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1, the actuation mechanism comprises 30 a hydraulic cylinder 55, which cylinder contains a piston, and which piston imparts a force on the movable rack 50 to cause the rack to rise away from the bench and user. The actuation mechanism further comprises an electric motor 51 operatively coupled to said hydraulic cylinder 55. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 directs the actuation mechanism 30 to apply a force on or remove a force from the movable rack 50. The control unit may comprise a switch, such as a foot pedal (shown herein as element 40 a), toggle switch, or a push-button, for example, for directing operation of the actuation mechanism 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the foot pedal further comprises an “up” switch 40 b for causing the actuation mechanism to extend the hydraulic cylinder and raise the movable rack, and a “down” switch 40 c for causing the actuation mechanism to retract the hydraulic cylinder and lower the movable rack. It will be apparent that the control unit should be placed in proximity to the bench 10 or other location that is within easy reach of a user when the user is in the act of lifting weights, so that the user may operate the movable rack 50 as circumstances require. It will further be apparent that the switch of the control unit 40 may allow the user to select upward and downward movement of the movable rack 50. For operating the motor, a power cable is provided for supplying power, such as from an electrical outlet.

In use, when a user desires to have the movable rack support and remove a barbell or other heavy object off of his or her person, the user may activate the control unit 40, which control unit will direct the actuation mechanism 30 to cause the movable rack 50 to move upwardly along the rack guide 25 (for instance, by extending piston out of the hydraulic cylinder), thus lifting the barbell or other heavy object up and away from the user, without requiring the user him or herself to lift the barbell or other heavy object. When the user desires to lower the movable rack no long requires the movable rack to support the barbell or other heavy object, the user may activate the control unit, which unit will direct the actuation mechanism 30 to cause the movable rack 50 to move downwardly along the rack guide 25 (for instance, by retracting the piston into the hydraulic cylinder). In this embodiment, it will be apparent that the apparatus 100 further comprises a power cord 60 for receiving the requisite power from a power source.

In another embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, the manually-operated actuation mechanism 30 comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a movable piston therein, and the control unit 40 comprises a foot pump 40 b coupled to said hydraulic cylinder. The user may depress the foot pump with to apply pressure on the cylinder and cause the cylinder to apply force on the movable rack 50 to cause the rack 50 to move in an upward direction. To cause the movable rack to move in a downward position, the actuation mechanism 30 in this embodiment may comprise a release valve, for releasing pressure on the piston and allowing it to retract into the hydraulic cylinder. The release valve may also be operatively coupled to the control unit 40, as represented in FIG. 2 by a foot pedal in an exemplary embodiment. In such an embodiment, a recoil spring may be provided to limit movement of the foot pedal after the release valve has been opened.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the actuation mechanism 30 may comprise other configurations than are shown in the figures, for instance, a motor, gear reduction, and linear motion converter (such as a slider crank or lead screw), or any other configuration that is capable of imparting a force on the movable rack.

The support apparatus 100 accordingly facilitates lifting and support of a barbell when a user requires assistance in lifting or supporting a barbell, and eliminates the need for the presence of a second person or “spotter” while the user is engaged in lifting the barbell. The weightlifting support apparatus disclosed herein further permits an individual user to safely perform a bench press exercise without risk of becoming trapped underneath heavy free weights loaded onto barbells. The present disclosure provides a lightweight, reliable, safe, user-friendly, support apparatus for a weightlifter and has a low production cost.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present disclosure. 

1. A weightlifting support apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a frame assembly, a bench disposed on said frame assembly, a movable rack movably attached to said frame assembly, said movable rack comprising arms that extend from said frame assembly, which arms are capable of supporting a barbell or other heavy object thereon, an actuation mechanism operatively coupled to said movable rack, and a control unit for selectively operating the actuation mechanism, wherein said actuation mechanism may impart a force on said movable rack to cause said rack to move in an upward or downward direction while said movable rack is supporting said barbell or heavy object thereon.
 2. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said movable rack comprises at least one clamp and said frame assembly comprises at least one rack guide for allowing said movable attachment of said moveable rack to said frame assembly.
 3. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said movable rack comprises a pinion and said frame assembly comprises a rack for allowing movable attachment of said movable rack to said frame assembly.
 4. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuation mechanism comprises a motorized hydraulic cylinder and piston.
 5. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuation mechanism comprises a manually-operated hydraulic cylinder and piston.
 6. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuation mechanism comprises a motorized slider crank.
 7. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said actuation mechanism comprises a motorized lead screw.
 8. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame assembly and movable rack are formed from tubular steel.
 9. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said frame assembly and movable rack are formed from tubular aluminum.
 10. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein said movable rack comprises two arms, which arms are disposed on in parallel to one another and on opposite sides of said bench.
 11. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is configured to support the bench at an angle that is substantially parallel to the surface on which the support apparatus is placed.
 12. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is configured to support the bench at an angle such that the end of the bench that is proximate to the movable rack is above the end of the bench that is distal to the movable rack.
 13. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is configured to support the bench at an angle such that the end of the bench that is proximate to the movable rack is below the end of the bench that is distal to the movable rack.
 14. The support apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame assembly is capable of adjusting the angle at which the bench is supported on said frame assembly. 